Boiler construction



ARK/N WIL Filed May 24, 1940 L R. WILLIAMSON BoILER CONSTRUCTION May 25, 1943.

ATTORNE Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED STATES* PATENT OFFICE A. l 2,320,1- 14 I 'y A I Bonnin CONSTRUCTION Larkin R. 'Williamson Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to H. H. Pinney, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application May 24, 1941)Serial No. 337,017

is in an over heated or unheated condition. Sims clams.Y

This invention relates to improvements in boilers and, more particularly, to an improved lirebox construction for use in a longitudinally extending type of boiler equipment. As such, the invention is an improvement on the co-pending application Serial No. 304,158, filed November 13, 1939, in the name of the present inventor and Lewis H. Smith.

As set out in the application, there is provided a boiler of the locomotive type normally including a rebox'bounded by side sheets, back sheets, throat sheets and a crown sheet, together with a flue sheet at the forward end ofthe rebox. A second flue sheet remote from the rebox cooperates with the rst flue sheet to support the flues making up the lire tube portion of the boiler.

In this construction several siphons or water steaming and circulating pockets are provided normally positioned vertically and longitudinally within the upper part of the reboX. They are attached to the crown sheet and vby reason of slots therein are in open communication withV a steam space above the crown sheet, although sealed from the firebox. The siphon construction just outlined is supplied with Water chiey from the front end, although some water may enter from the region of the back sheets. By reason of the intense heat of combustion in the firebox water in the siphons is quickly evaporated into steam, passing vupwardly through the layer of water covering the crown sheet and entering into the steam space above such water level, setting up end to end circulation.

As hereinafter set out, the siphons are supplied with water taken from a region adjacent the for- Y ward flue sheet because this is the region at which the thermal content of the water is lowest, thus making for a more complete and rapid circulation and a more efficient evaporation of the water into steam. The water so delivered to the siphons passesthrough water tubes extending generally parallel to the re tubes and with the water owing in an opposite direction to the gas ow through the fire tubes. Extensions of the tubes ca rry the water from the back flue sheet across an open part of the fire box above the throat sheet into the forward corner pocket of each siphon.

The siphons and the rear flue sheet have considerable relative movement with respect to each ilarly, the sheet and the siphons tend to sway with respect to each other when the engine is in motion, thus setting up another and different kind of movement. K

The chief object of my invention has been to provide a locomotive rebox and siphon construction of the manner indicated, together with a flexible bellows-like connection or joint between the siphons and the source of water supply to the siphons which will flex to permit the above outlined relative movementI between the parts. A further object of` the invention has been to provide a blow-01T in connection with the expansible connection and with the forward bottom corner of yeach siphon. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Another object has been to provide a means forv relieving'steam pockets both in the said joints and inY the' siphons. Y

:,Tol lthe accomplishment of the foregoing and vrelated ends, said invention, then, consists of the means and steps hereinafter fully describedand `particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed `drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means and one -mode of carrying out the invention, such disbut one of various ways in which the principle -o f theinvention may be used.

' Y Inms'aid annexed drawings:

Eig. lisa longitudinal central transverse section throughthe reboxand the ire tubes of the boileri Fig. 2 isa detail partly in section in the plane 'of Fig. 1, showing the expansion joint constructionrand y Y g V Fig. nSis a section through Fig'. 2, as indicated vby the lines 3-3 thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a loci-)motive boiler in which I provide a re tube lboiler I0 Yand a rebox Il to Ywhich fuel may be supplied through Ya door opening YI2 intothe locomotive cab as indicated.

'I lfie firebox Aconstruction comprises the usual mud ring I5 surrounding the grates. The firebox is bounded at the rear by a pair of back sheets` Illand 9, in which is formed the opening ,I2 closedby a suitabledoor, not shown. The back sheets merge witlrthe side sheet construction on each' side of the box, The side sheets in Aturn merge with' a pair of spaced sheets 24 and 25. All' oftheaforesaid sheet constructions form a generally vertically extending enclosing wall for the rebox which is lled with water to a level extending above the crown in order to serve the dual purposes of preventing destruction of the rebox and providing a greater heated area for the water which is to be evaporated into steam.

A rear flue sheet 21 extends across the forward end of the flrebox, joining the inner side sheets and the inner throat sheet. A front ue sheet 28 is mounted adjacent the front of the locomotive cab and cooperates with the rear flue sheet to support a series of flues 30 forming the re tube portions of the boiler. The flue sheets are bounded by side walls to provide a water reservoir from which the siphons hereafter described are supplied. The gases resulting from combustion in the rebox pass therethrough and enter the flues, passing forwardly through them and emerging on the front side of the front flue sheet, from which they are discharged to atmosphere through the locomotive stack. The entire unit is designed in a well known manner to provide the necessary circulation for these gases. A crown sheet merges with the inner back and side sheet walls and the rear flue sheet to form a water and steam space above the rebox. This space is in direct communication with the side sheet and back sheet spaces as well as with the water reservoir ahead of the rear flue sheet.

The entire water system is normally maintained full of water to a height indicated by the water level WL, which is also known as the steam disengagement surface.

The crown sheet of the boiler is slightly inclined, the high point being at the front end of the rebox. This is typical of locomotive construction, having to do with keeping all parts of the crown sheet easily covered with water, notwithstanding the surging and dipping movements of the locomotive. For reinforcement purposes the crown, the back and the side sheets may be adequately stay-bolted. Downwardly extending thermic siphons 40, of the Nicholson type, are positioned vertically and longitudinally within the upper part of the rebox and are attached to the crown sheet at 4 I. Longitudinally extending slots in the crown sheet provide open communication between the siphons and the water space about said sheet, The siphons are internally stayed to provide adequate strength under the pressure maintained in the boiler.

These siphons, preferably three in number, although not so limited, are bounded at their forward ends by vertical transverse walls 48 extending from the bottom corner pocket 49 upwardly to be secured to the crown sheet by welding. At the rear of the siphons the same connect with the upper portion of the inner back sheet I9, as shown in Fig. 1. The side walls 41 of the siphons pass through and are nrmly secured, as by welding, to the said inner back sheet and to the crown sheet, thus making the siphon an integral part of the entire water system.

It will be observed that the siphon is entirely supported by the upper portion of the rebox, thus eliminating any operating faults which might develop due to the expansion and consequent separation of the upper and lower portions of the rebox, as for instance the throat and crown sheets.

Water for evaporation is supplied to the siphons at the bottom corner pockets 49 from pipes leading to the front end of the boiler and receiving water from adjacent the front ue sheet. In this connection an intake pipe or flue 50 is shown as supported in collars 5l and 52 in alignment and welded to the flue sheets 21 and 28 respectively. The pipe 5D communicates with a second pipe 55, formed of two separate segments, (Fig. 2), which is welded at 51 to the vertical transverse wall 48 of a respective siphon. For communicating with the pipe 50 the pipe 55 is slidingly received in the collar 5|.

An expansion chamber, indicated generally at 55, is built into each pipe 55, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to provide for relative movement between each siphon and the forward part of the boiler. To this end, the opposed ends of the segments of each pipe 55 are outwardly flanged, as at 58. Welded or otherwise permanently secured to each of the said flanges is a flexible disk-shaped steel plate B0. Each plate is formed toward the other at the outer annular edge to form, when welded together as at 6|, a cylindrical side wall 63. This forms an entirely closed connection between each side of the pipe 55 and, due to the flexibility of the plates 60, permits considerable play between the two segments of the pipe 55. This compensates for any relative movement between the siphons and flue sheets, due either to heating of the parts or to movement of the locomotive.

Each pipe 55 leading to its respective siphon is provided with such a chamber. If the dimensions of the plates 6i] of adjacent chambers are such that the parts of one connection tend to interfere with the parts of an adjacent chamber, the chambers may, as is illustrated by the dotted lines 65 of Fig. 2, be staggered with respect to the other in a fore and aft direction of the locomotive. In this manner the siphons may be positioned as closely together as desired, down to a distance equal to the radius of the plates 5i) plus clearance.

Sediment will, after a period of time, collect -in the bottom portions of the expansion chambers above described. Unless this sediment is removed from the system the parts coated thereby may become heated to a temperature at which they will be destroyed, as is well known in the art. Blow-offs are provided for each construction, as shown in Fig. 2.

These blow-offs each consist of a pipe 10 passing downwardly with considerable clearance through a sleeve 12 welded or otherwise secured in the throat sheets 24 and 25 and discharging at the bottom of the locomotive. A valve 15 controls the operation of the blow-off and may be so connected as to be operated from the cab of the engine if desired. To this end a rod 16 extends from the cab and is connected to the valves by a universal joint. The pipe 10 is threadedly received in a boss 11 welded to the bottom of each expansionchamber. The cylindrical side walls 63 are drilled out at 18 to provide communication with the pipes. Periodically, the valves 15 are opened and, due to the pressure in the system, all accumulated sediment will be blown clear.

Steam pockets may collect in the upper regions of each chamber. This could destroy the chamber because any cooling eiTect of the water would be eliminated and the heat of the lcombustion gases could elevate the temperature of the plates 60 to the point of destruction over areas not contacted by the water. To prevent this I have provided a pipe threadingly secured at 3| to the top of each chamber and in communication with the interior thereof. Each of these pipes leads upwardly to discharge at 83 into the siphons.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided, in connection with a -novel circulating system, connecting apparatus by which expansion and contraction and other relative movement between the parts may be permitted without damaging the system generally.

Other forms may be employed embodying the features of my invention instead of the one herein explained, change being made in the form or construction, provided the elements stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated elements be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a rebox provided with a iiue sheet, a syphonic element disposed in said rebox and having the lower forward portion thereof spaced from said flue sheet and provided with an intake, a flexible hollow member disposed between said lower forward portion and said flue sheet, means communicating the interior of said hollow member with said intake and with that portion of said boiler which is disposed forwardly of said ue sheet, and a conduit communicating between said syphonic element andthe upper portion of the interior of said hollow member.

2. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a iirebox provided with a throat sheet, a syphonic element disposed in said rebox spaced from said throat sheet and having an intake, a hollow member between said syphonic member and said flue sheet, a conduit one end of which communicates with said intake and is secured to said syphonic element and the other end of which communicates with the interior of said member and is secured to said member, a sleeve projecting through said ue sheet, a conduit one end of which communicates with the interior of said hollow member and is secured to said member and the other end of which slidingly projects into said sleeve, and a conduit one end of which slidingly projects into said sleeve and the other end of which opens into the forward portion of the boiler.

3. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a iirebox provided with a throat sheet and a flue sheet, a plurality of syphonic elements disposed in said rebox and having the forward lower ends thereof spaced above said throat sheet and behind said iiue sheet, a plurality of flexible vrelatively fiat hollow members, one for each of said syphonic elements, and means communicating with the interior of said syphonic elements with the interior of said hollow members and with that portion of said boiler which is disposed forwardly of said flue sheet, the diameters of said hollow members being such that they could not be aligned transversely of said boiler, said hollow members being staggered longitudinally of said boiler.

4. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a rebox including a flue sheet, a syphonic element disposed in said rebox opening through one of the walls thereof and provided with an intake, a hollow member disposed in said rebox, means for establishing communication of the interior of said member with said intake and with that portion of the boiler which is disposed in advance of said flue sheet, and venting means communicating with the upper portion of the interior of saidl member and with said element above said intake.

5. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a iirebox, a syphonic element disposed in said rebox and in communication with the water space of the boiler, an expansion chamber interposed between said element and said water space, and a coiled conduit communicating between said syphonic element and the upper portion of the interior of said expansion chamber.

6. The combination of a locomotive boiler having a rebox provided with a flue sheet and a throat sheet, a syphonic element disposed in said firebox having the lower forward portion thereof spaced from said flue sheet and from said throat sheet and having an opening therein, said element having an inlet, a hollow member disposed above said throat sheet and between said flue sheet and said syphonic element, a conduit communicating with said inlet and with the interior of said member at the center portion thereof, a conduit communicating with the center portion of the interior of said member and with the water space in advance of said iiue sheet, and a venting conduit communicating with the upper interior of said member and with said element above said inlet.

LARKIN R. WILLIAMSON. 

